Supercars drivers expecting 'old-school' race in NZ

Supercars drivers are expecting “chaos” and “old-school” track conditions during the first race at New Zealand’s Taupo Motorsport Park.

After the closure of Pukekohe Raceway in 2022, the touring car series stayed solely in Australia.

But Taupo, about three hours from Auckland, is ready to host a thrilling return to racing in New Zealand.

Dual Bathurst 1000 winner Chaz Mostert compared the track to Wanneroo Raceway.

“The surface takes me back to the old-school Perth days, even a little bit worse,” said Mostert, who topped the times in practice on Friday.

Dual Bathurst winner Chaz Mostert on his way to clocking the fastest time in practice at Taupo. (HANDOUT/EDGE PHOTOGRAPHICS)

“From a fan perspective, if you’re watching cars slide around from the start of the stint to the end of the stint, that’s going to be chaos, and chaos is entertainment, and that’s what we’re in – we’re in the entertainment business.

“It’s going be a lot of fun.”

Ford veteran Will Davison is preparing himself for a wild ride on Saturday.

“I remember there were years ‘Frosty’ (Mark Winterbottom) and I, we were lapped at Perth and Queensland Raceway, and then we’ve had races where you’re winning and lapping everyone else,” he said.

“Everyone’s going to be in a fair bit of strife in the stints.

“If you can minimise that hurt, you’re going to be having fun and it’s going to be a lot of very unhappy, whingeing drivers.”

The first qualifying session will take place on Saturday morning, followed by a top-10 shootout ahead of a 60-lap race in the afternoon.